Math

Math is KING! It's the only language that's universal, rewires the way your brain solves problems, and provides an immense rush when you finally find the right answer to a challenging equation.

The better you know your math, the easier it will be for you to find a job. Of course, math by itself won't land you a job if you're not a team-player and don't have a good work ethic, but it certainly can give you an edge up. There are plenty of great-paying technician jobs in the energy industry that don't require a 4-year degree, but many of those jobs do require you to have math skills at the 10th grade TABE level.

Common sense goes a long way too. If you can easily calculate a lengthy equation to derive at a number, you always need to test the number with common sense (for example, if you use a length of pipe to cut three pieces of it, those individual pieces should add up to the total length you started with).

Another important lesson is to look at the reason behind the number, not just that you have a number. My former professor, Dr. Bruce Neumann, instilled in us the fact that many variables hide behind numbers. For example, the number of widgets that are produced at a manufacturing plant have decreased to 10,000 widgets. So? Don't just stop at the number after you've counted the widgets--analyze why production is lower. Is it a result of poor raw materials? Is there adequate training for staff? Are staff overworked and tired? All of these variables can come into play.

Below are some of the different forms of math and how they can be appplied in the energy industry (and everyday life). Don't let the formulas scare you. Appreciation for math begins with a good teacher. Math lessons should not only include how to solve an equation, but how and where it can be applied. If you don't have a good teacher and can't change to another, find a good tutor. One more thing, once you've learned the math, please teach it to someone else. Teaching helps you better understand the science and retain what you've learned.

Arithmatic
addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, etc
example: 1+2 = 3
uses: accounting, finance, economics, and the bases for all other advanced math, science, engineering...

Algebra
solving equations for the unknown using variables
example: word problems (such as, 'if a train is leaving one station at 50 mph...') and numerically: x2 + Ax + B = (x + a)(x + b), where A = a + b, B = ab
uses: accounting, physics, engineering/building, chemistry, computer/electronic programming, graphic design...

Geometry
study of sizes, shapes and positions of 2- and 3-dimensional shapes and solving their areas, volumes, angles, lengths, of triangles, cylinders, spheres
example: Pythagorean Theorem: a2 + b2 = c2
uses: engineering, robotics, land surveys, mapmaking, GIS, GPS, becoming a really good pool shark

Calculus
using differentian, derivatives, functions
example: The limit of the function f(x), as x approaches x0, is equal to the number L
uses: to determine the the rates of change of a chemical reaction, or determine the exact length of power cables needed to connect two substations that are miles apart

Trigonometry
the study of triangles using sine, cosine, tangent, secants, etc.
example: calculate the height of a transmission tower by knowing the distance and the angle of an imaginary line drawn from the top of the building to the ground where you are
uses: solving measurement problems, navigation, surveying, building, heat flows, electrical currents...

Statistics
probability, analysis of variance, correlation, etc.
example: P(E) = lim/n-> rfn(E)
uses: calculating the chances of getting heads or tails on a toss of a coin, determining how many people are unemployed, predicting future economic trends, predicting the outcome of a chemistry experiment; used in bioinformatics, computer science, economics, finance, physics, engineering...